Another theory of whazzup
Fascinated as we all are by this Mike Moore development, we could easily miss Anita Lee’s interesting story today, “I PLEAD GUILTY”: Three words, so hard for Scruggs to say. And that would be a shame, since one of the things making it interesting is this passage:
Over the years, the 61-year-old Scruggs has built an image as one of the nation’s most accomplished attorneys in David vs. Goliath battles with the asbestos, tobacco and insurance industries. When his former brother in arms, Biloxi attorney Paul Minor, was indicted on judicial bribery charges, Scruggs brought in a New York public relations firm to distance himself from the sordid details. Those details included unreported campaign contributions from him to a state Supreme Court candidate and loan repayments for a judge through a third party.
Scruggs testified at Minor’s trial, but was never charged with a crime, even though his assistant admitted misdemeanor state campaign-law violations in open court.
Another is this quote from Vicki Slater:
“He’s obsessed with his public image more than anything,” said Slater, who represents lawyer Roberts Wilson in the 14-year-old case [Wilson v. Scruggs]. “No matter how much money he has, if someone accuses him of breaching a contract or any wrongdoing, to admit it would tarnish that image that he has spent many years building up.” …
I think Ms. Slater is onto something important there — something that what-happened-today itself may well support.
What do you say?
March 17, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Every time I see something about the campaign contributions, I can’t help but think of one that is rarely mentioned any more. Remember the $500,000 loan to Amy Tuck, and how it was “off the books.” until well after the fact? These guys sicken me.
March 17, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Was that loan to Amy Tuck repaid to Scruggs by Republicans, after Tuck “flipped” to the Republican side? I don’t remember.
March 17, 2008 at 9:41 pm
The crime of bribery committed by giant attorney Dickie Scruggs is all the worse because he was in a position of trust. So where is the Mississippi Bar and the Commission on Judicial Performance? Mute. Reminds me of the three monkeys - see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.
The public was betrayed by those they trusted to protect their right to a fair hearing and trial. Those of us who were the actual victims of the crime of judicial bribery have the agonizing realization that we will never be compensated for our losses.
Betrayal scars and damages one’s ability to trust again. We will again, though. Those first tentative steps to trust are held steady before us by those willing to take the risk to support us even if we falter.